A method for assessing a liver includes acquiring image information including contrast-enhanced ultrasound images of the liver. A location of the main hepatic artery (MHA) and a location of the main portal vein (MPV) of the liver are identified in at least one of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound images of the liver. Time-intensity information corresponding to perfusion of a contrast agent in the MHA and the MPV is obtained. A biomarker index value (BIV) which is a function of the time-intensity information corresponding to the perfusion of contrast agent in the MHA and the time-intensity information corresponding to the perfusion of contrast agent in the MPV is determined.
Apparatus and methods for arranging a set of media items based on user profiles are disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor in communication with user identification ports and a plurality of surfaces for displaying media items. The processor in accordance with the invention receives a user identifier from one of the user identification ports, retrieves a user profile associated with the user identifier, calculates a preference vector for the media items within the set based on the user profile, and directs the plurality of surfaces to change an arrangement of the display of the set of media items from a first configuration to a second configuration based on the preference vector. The processor thereby changes which of the first set of media items is displayed on at least one of the plurality of surfaces.
A fan-to-parallel beam re-binner (114) includes a time deflection determiner (202) that determines time deflections for a plurality of integration periods for different detector pixels (113, 334) of an imaging system (100), a data shifter (204) that shifts fan beam data acquired for the integration periods by the system (100) by time offsets corresponding to the time deflections; and a data re-sorter (206) that parallelizes the data.
A system for generating a reconstruction filter for an imaging scanner comprises a model bank (124) that includes a model for generating the reconstruction filter, a filter criteria bank (122) that includes filter criteria for generating the reconstruction filter, and a filter generator (120) that generates the reconstruction filter based on the filter model and the filter criteria. In one non-limiting instance, the model is based on minimizing a cost function that includes predetermined filter criteria such as image contrast. In another non- limiting instance, the cost function includes terms relating to spatial resolution, noise and a signal visual perception in the presence of noise.
A medical imaging system (600) and method including generating a force in a biological mass using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) beams, deflecting tissue contained in the biological mass using the force, and determining a physical quality of the deflected tissue. The physical quality of the deflected tissue may include one or more of rigidity and strength of the deflected tissue.
Lighting control systems are disclosed that enable a combination of functions comprising natural illumination based lighting control, occupancy-based lighting control, and security control. One or more processors are used in conjunction with one or more cameras and a plurality of luminaires, to perform a combination of functions comprising natural illumination based lighting control, occupancy-based lighting control, and security control.
G05B 13/00 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion
G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
7.
IMAGING MEASUREMENT SYSTEM WITH A PRINTED ORGANIC PHOTODIODE ARRAY
An imaging system includes a macro organic photodiode array with rows and columns of printed photodiodes. The array may be bendable for easy manufacture and assembly on a curved support within an imaging system. Two or more layers of photodiodes may be provided for use in a spectral CT imaging system or as slices.
Disclosed is a device for monitoring an electrical power flow between a power source and a load. The monitoring device includes a monitoring module configured to monitor one or more aspects of the electrical power flow, the monitoring module configured to detect a fault condition when one or more aspects fall outside a predetermined operating range. In addition, the device includes a protection module configured to interrupt the electrical power flow upon detection of the fault condition. In some embodiments, the monitoring device includes a reset module configured to re-establish electrical power flow between the power source and the load. In some embodiments, the monitoring device further includes a diagnostic module configured to determine diagnostic information based at least in part on one or more of the monitored aspects of the electrical power flow.
H02H 3/38 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection responsive to phase angle between voltage and current
9.
SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR LIGHT-BASED SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
Light-based systems for communicating information associated with the formation of social connections are disclosed. One or more lighting controllers controlling individually controllable luminaires are used in conjunction with communication networks in order to identify and form remote light-based social connections. Additionally, visualization controllers are used in conjunction with visualization infrastructures, visualization actuators, localization systems and identification systems to visually identify proximally present potential social connections.
A sensor chip (1030) for gas has cells (200) for emitting and receiving ultrasound and is configured for a sufficiently large frequency range and for measuring concentration of at least one of the gas components based on at least two responses within the range. The frequency range can be achieved by varying the size of cell membranes (230), varying bias voltages, and/or varying air pressure for an array (205) of cMUTs or MEMS microphones. The sensor chip can be applied in, for example, capnography. A measurement air chamber (515) is implemented in the respiratory pathway (400), and it and/or the pathway may be designed to reduce turbulence in the exhaled breath (120) subject to ultrasound interrogation. The chip (1030) can be implemented as self-contained in the monitoring of parameters, obviating the need for off-chip sensors.
A location detection system and method with fingerprinting including defining nodes in an area, the area being associated with field devices and a target device (102); determining expected signal strengths from the field devices at the nodes (104); measuring actual signal strengths from the field devices at the target device for each of the field devices in communication with the target device (106); designating as valid nodes the nodes having the expected signal strength for a particular field device that is greater than or equal to the actual signal strength for a particular field device (108); and determining at least one of the valid nodes for which the actual signal strengths for the field devices agree with the expected signal strengths for the field devices at the at least one of the valid nodes (110).
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
12.
A SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING LIGHT INTENSITY OUTPUT OF LIGHT EMITTING DIODE ARRAYS
Disclosed herein is a system for controlling a drive current of an LED that includes a controller configured to estimate a junction temperature of the LED at a location of a heat sink. The system also includes a driver configured to change a drive current to the LED in response to a command from the controller. Also disclosed is a method of determining drive currents for LEDs in an array that includes determining a required light output intensity at a first time for each LED; estimating heat generated by each LED at the first time; solving heat flow equations for the array at the first time; estimating a junction temperature for each of the LEDs at the first time; and determining a drive current for the required light intensity at the first time for each of the LEDs based on the junction temperature.
G09G 3/34 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix by control of light from an independent source
13.
LARGE CAPACITY THIN FILM BATTERY AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME
A method for fabricating a battery includes growing (104) wires on a substrate to form a three-dimensional skeleton structure to increase a surface area. A battery stack is deposited (116) on the skeleton structure and may be thinner to increase stability and a lifetime of the battery.
Light-based systems for communicating information associated with service orders and/or the identification of personal objects are disclosed. A personal mobile electronic communication device is used in conjunction with a communication network and a lighting controller to communicate service orders by lighting with one or more individually controllable luminaires in a lighting network. A personal mobile electronic communication device is, alternatively or additionally, used in conjunction with a communication network, a memory, and a lighting controller controlling to indicate by lighting whether there is an association between the personal mobile electronic communication device and a personal item.
The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus (1) or assembly therefore comprising: a carriage (25) coupled to a housing (10a, 10b), the carriage (25) adapted to retain a lamp (14) within the housing, the carriage (25) being moveable relative to the housing (10a, 10b) to manipulate the position of the lamp (14) within the housing (10a, 10b), wherein the carriage (25) is moveable along a first axis by way of a force applied along a second axis. This provides a more convenient way of adjusting the peak/flat of the light apparatus.
Disclosed herein is a lamp including an LED-based light source (54) configured to emit light and an optically transmissive window (50) optically and thermally coupled to the light source, wherein the optically transmissive window is configured to radiate heat generated by the light source to the ambient. The lamp may further include an optical system optically coupled to the light source and configured to redirect the light towards the optically transmissive window.
A tracking system (100) and method in areas with light dispersive media includes a transducer array (20) located at a designated area (10) and configured to perform an ultrasonic sweep of the area. The transducer array is capable of determining a presence and position of people, animals or objects in the area in accordance with the ultrasonic sweep. A controller (14) is configured to receive results of the sweep and create a map (30) of the area. An action module (25) is configured to receive a control signal from the controller. The control signal is transmitted to the action module in accordance with density information plotted on the map such that the at least one action module is activated by the control signal in accordance with the map.
A motion detection system and method with null points with a motion detection method including transmitting a signal (102); detecting the signal at a first device (104); determining whether signal strength of the detected signal is less than an expected signal strength (106); transmitting at least one additional signal (108); detecting the at least one additional signal at the first device (110); determining whether signal strength of the detected at least one additional signal is less than the expected signal strength (112); and determining that the first device is in a null point when the signal strength of the detected signals is less than the expected signal strength for a predetermined number of the detected signals (114).
A baby feeding bottle (1) is provided that comprises a wall member (4) having an inner surface (6), a bottom part (2) and an upper part (7). Further a temperature indicator (11) is provided. The inner surface (6) of the wall member (4) defines an internal space (10). The bottle (1) further comprises a thermally conductive element (13) that is thermally connected to the temperature indicator (11) and extends from the bottom part (2) to the upper part (7) of the wall member (4) along at least part of the inner surface (6) thereof. The thermally conductive element (13) has a surface area that is significantly smaller than the surface area of the inner surface (6) of the wall member (4).
A controller, method and system, for controlling lighting responsive to ambient lighting conditions are described. In particular, disclosed is illumination controller (110) for controlling illumination of a workspace near a display (253). The illumination controller includes a memory device (113) storing a user's preference for illumination of the workspace; a processor (111) accessing the user's preference in the memory device; and an interface (112) between the processor and an electronic sensor (231) located proximate to the display, which collects a reading from the electronic sensor. The processor compares the reading with the user's preference, and sends a command to at least one luminaire (241) to adjust the illumination of the workspace. The electronic sensor can be, for example, a photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an orientation sensor, or a location sensor. In some embodiments, the interface collects the reading from the electronic sensor via a wireless communication link.
The application discloses a method and apparatus for providing a desired warning signal for a lighting unit. A coded warning system is provided employing a detection module (320) and a signal generating module (330), wherein the detection module is configured to obtain information regarding the detection of one or more operating parameters of the lighting unit and the signal generating module generates a desired warning signal (331) selected from a plurality of warning signals, upon determination that one or more of the operating parameters are abnormal operating parameters. Each warning signal of the plurality of warning signals is indicative of a specific abnormal operating parameter or a known combination of specific abnormal operating parameters.
When measuring core body temperature in a patient, a curved sensor (10) is provide that has a predefined radius of curvature to fit comfortably and closely to a patient's forehead. The sensor (10) has at least one releasable securing strip (e.g., Velcro TM ) that couples the sensor (10) to a headband (14), as well as an adhesive strip (16) that is positioned along one edge of an interior surface of the sensor (10) and couples the 5 sensor (10) to the patient's skin. The adhesive strip acts as a hinge that facilitates inspection of the skin beneath the sensor without complete removal of the sensor, and the headband and curvature of the sensor provide a snug fit of the interior surface of the sensor against the patient's skin. Additionally, the sensor may be a zero heat flux sensor (34) with a heater (32) placed on one side thereof and a thermister (36) placed on an opposite side 10 thereof, between the heat flux sensor (34) and a patient's skin. The heater is adjusted until heat flux through the heat flux sensor is zero, at which point the patient's skin surface temperature (as detected by the thermistor) is recorded as a core body temperature. Moreover, the thermister (34, 72) may be quickly calibrated by linearizing a temperature vs. resistance curve therefore, and shifting the linearized curve to a predetermined 15 reference curve.
G01K 1/14 - Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
G01K 1/16 - Special arrangements for conducting heat from the object to the sensitive element
G01K 13/00 - Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
G01K 7/21 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using resistive elements the element being a linear resistance, e.g. platinum resistance thermometer in a specially-adapted circuit, e.g. bridge circuit for modifying the output characteristic, e.g. linearising
23.
INTELLIGENT CONTROLLABLE LIGHTING NETWORKS AND SCHEMATA THEREFORE
Systems, networks, devices and methods for developing, implementing, and sharing lighting schemata between controllable lighting networks are disclosed. A network (101, 601, 701, 801, 808) in accordance with the disclosure stores lighting schemata developed for the network in a remote data store (802). Other networks (301) access the remote data store to select existing schemata for implementation. Systems, networks, devices, and methods for sharing user preferences between controllable lighting networks are also disclosed. Networks according to the disclosure may access a shared remote data store (112) to determine a user?s preferences upon the detection, by sensors in the network, of the presence of the user. As such, individual lighting networks may make use of known user preferences or learned behaviors and environmental conditions to more efficiently adapt themselves to such behavior, preferences, or conditions.
The mouthpiece carrier assembly (12) is adapted and configured to receive the upper and lower teeth of the user. The mouthpiece carrier assembly is driven such that the bristles mounted on the teeth-facing surfaces of the mouthpiece assembly contact said surfaces and provide a cleaning effect therefor. A plurality of bristle sections (30, 32, 34, 41, 44) are secured to the teeth- facing portions of the mouthpiece assembly, wherein the bristle sections each have bristles which have a particular configuration and are otherwise adapted to provide effective cleaning for an associated dental region.
The dental cleaning appliance includes an appliance body (30, 73) which has a bristle field housing (32, 52) and fluid within the housing. A flexible membrane (34) is positioned within the housing, or in a fluid-tight relationship (54) within an opening (60) in the housing. A fluid pressure system involving either a dual piston system (22, 24, 28) or a pump and valve system (70, 68, 68) provides pressure on the fluid, wherein the pistons move alternately, or the valves open and close alternately, in such a manner to produce alternating pressure above and beneath the membrane, moving the membrane and the bristle field toward and away from the teeth.
A61C 17/38 - Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by hydraulic motor, e.g. water motor
26.
SYSTEM FOR AXIAL BRISTLE MOTION IN A TEETH CLEANING MOUTHPIECE
The mouthpiece includes a mouthpiece carrier member (14) having upper and lower sections which are adapted to receive the upper and lower teeth of a user. The mouthpiece carrier member has several embodiments which include side members and an intermediate member or members connecting the two side members to define the two sections. A bristle field (20) is mounted on the mouthpiece carrier member for contact with the surfaces of the teeth. The mouthpiece carrier member is moved in such a manner to produce a bristle action which has a significant axial component, resulting in the bristle tufts moving toward the teeth, contacting the teeth and moving away from the teeth, producing cleaning action on the teeth.
The dental mouthpiece includes an assembly (14, 16, 18) for holding a bristle field or fields (20) used to clean teeth when the mouthpiece is actuated, and a power assembly (12) for moving the bristle -holding structure and the bristle fields so that the bristles produce a cleaning action on the teeth, wherein the bristle fields are replaceable.
The appliance (10, Figure 1) includes a body portion (27) and a nozzle portion (30) through which a spray of liquid droplets exits from a distal end thereof for cleaning of dental regions. The nozzle includes an orifice (36) at a proximal end thereof adjacent the body portion, as well as a pump (38) for moving liquid into an area of the nozzle just forward of the orifice. A mechanical system (12, 13, 14) is provided for moving a plunger or piston element (16) first away from the orifice under tension, such as a compression spring(24), and then controllably releasing the plunger or piston toward the orifice, the plunger/piston moving with sufficient force that atmospheric air which has been drawn into the appliance between the plunger or piston is forced through the orifice at a sufficiently high rate of speed to produce a spray of fluid droplets for dental cleaning when the moving air comes into contact with the liquid in the nozzle.
One embodiment of an actuator system for a power dental cleaning appliance to produce a tapping motion of bristle tufts in a dental cleaning appliance includes a plurality of piston elements (16) mounted in a brushhead for movement away from and then toward the brushhead (12). Bristle tufts (20) are positioned on the piston elements and move sequentially against and away from the teeth to produce a cleaning action. A low frequency fluid pressure action (40) in the range of 1-6 Hz maintains conformity of the bristle tufts in a low frequency sequence against the teeth, while a higher frequency fluid pressure action (42) in the range of 100-300 Hz moves the bristle tufts at that frequency to produce a tapping bristle action on the teeth to produce cleaning. In another embodiment, an actuation system includes an elongated actuator member (52) made of elastic material which expands and contracts about its longitudinal axis at a selected frequency by fluid pressure. A plurality of actuator sections (56) are fixedly mounted on the actuator element. The actuator sections are configured such that as the actuator member expands, an upper bridge portion (63) of the actuator section moves upwardly. The bristle tufts (74) mounted thereon produce a cleaning action on the teeth.
A61C 17/20 - Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices using ultrasonics
A61C 17/30 - Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups or the like rotating continuously driven by hydraulic motor, e.g. water motor
A61C 17/34 - Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor
30.
SOFTWARE BUG AND PERFORMANCE DEFICIENCY REPORTING SYSTEM
A medical image system is disclosed, comprising a medical image processing module (20) and a user comment control module (30). The medical image processing module (20) includes at least a medical image display module (22) and a user comment initiation module (26). The user comment control module (30) includes at least: a screenshot capture module or hook (32) configured to capture a screenshot of operation of the medical image processing module at about a time of receipt of a signal from the user comment initiation module; a screenshot editing module or hook (36) configured to enable user editing of the captured screenshot to generate a user-edited screenshot; and a comment review/editing module or hook (40) configured to automatically generate and enable user editing and transmission of an electronic mail message having the user edited screenshot embedded or attached.
G06F 11/07 - Responding to the occurrence of a fault, e.g. fault tolerance
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
A system having a local image storage element storing patient studies indexed by a local patient identifier, a local identity storage element storing a local identity list including a global patient identifier corresponding to each of a plurality of patients having studies stored on the local image storage element and one or more of the local patient identifiers corresponding to each of the patients, the local identity list being a subset of a global identity list stored remotely from the local identity storage element and a local location storage element storing a local index of the patient studies stored on the local image storage element and further patient studies stored on further local image storage elements for each of the plurality of patients, the index including a storage location of each study and the corresponding global patient identifier, the local index being a subset of a global index stored remotely.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
A system having a plurality of local image storage elements storing patient images, each patient image being indexed by a local patient identifier, an identity storage element, located remotely from the local storage elements, storing a global patient identifier corresponding to each of a plurality of patients and one or more of the local patient identifiers corresponding to each of the plurality of patients and a location storage element, located remotely from the local image storage elements, storing an index of the patient images, the index including the local image storage element location of each image and the corresponding global patient identifier.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
33.
AN ASSERTION-BASED RECORD LINKAGE IN DISTRIBUTED AND AUTONOMOUS HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS
A method is provided for using assertions to reconcile records in a healthcare environment. Records are input, compared to a collection of previously input records and likelihood ratios indicating a probability of each input record match each of the collected records are calculated. The ratio is compared against two separate accept and reject criteria. Based on the comparison result it is decided whether a pair of records should be accepted as matching, rejected, or placed on a global exception list for manual review. The global exception list is split among the sites that are part of the federation, so that each site receives a local exception list referring to patients records at that site. Each site evaluates each pair of records in its local exception list and makes an assertion stating for each pair of records whether they are a match or a mis-match. This assertions derived during the manual review is placed in a global exception list and are accessible by other members in a federation of users. An assertion becomes the truth for the site making that assertion.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
34.
AUTOMATED ASSERTION REUSE FOR IMPROVED RECORD LINKAGE IN DISTRIBUTED & AUTONOMOUS HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS WITH HETEROGENEOUS TRUST MODELS
An assertion acceptance value matrix (300) indicates the reliability of assertions, particularly assertions or decisions whether records match or do not match, made by other medical institutions in a federation of medical institutions with different patient record systems and some common patients. Records from different institutions with a high likelihood of matching or not matching are automatically matched or not matched. Those that are ambiguous are manually reviewed. The assertion acceptance value matrix is used to reduce or expedite the manual review.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
The invention concerns the selection of relevant advertisements for presentation on a portable computing device. The device has stored in memory multiple advertisements where each advertisement is associated with one or more advertisement descriptors. Based on the dynamic and heterogeneous content presented (98) on the device (10), content descriptors are identified (100). Next, content descriptors are compared (102) to advertisement descriptors stored in memory to select and advertisement and present (104) it on the device (10). This invention identifies that many portable devices are continually used without being online (i.e. being offline). It is an advantage of the invention that relevant advertisements can be selected and displayed on a portable device while the device is offline and no reliance is placed on an external network or external device as the device can decide what advertisements to display and when. Aspects of the invention include a method performed by the device, the device and software for installation on the device.
A system having a first data storage element storing a first set of data including patient images and a second data storage element storing a second set of data that is derived from the first set of data, the second set of data including searchable data that is descriptive of the first set of data and excludes the patient images.
G06F 17/30 - Information retrieval; Database structures therefor
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
37.
LIQUID DROPLET INTERPROXIMAL CLEANING APPARATUS WITH GAS STREAM LIMITATION
The interproximal cleaning apparatus includes a gas reservoir (12) containing a compressed gas, such as CO2, in both liquid and gaseous states. A siphon tube (20) extends down into the liquid region of the gas reservoir when the apparatus is in an upright position. The siphon tube connects the reservoir to a metering valve (18) which has a metered volume to accommodate an amount of liquid compressed gas which is sufficient for good liquid droplet cleaning when it decompresses and forms a gaseous stream, without damage to the dental regions of the user. If the apparatus is severely tilted or turned upside down, gaseous CO2 or a combination of gaseous and liquid CO2 will enter the siphon tube and then the metering valve. The size of the metering valve will limit the volume of the gaseous CO2 to a safe amount, both when liquid CO2 or gaseous CO2 are applied to the metering valve.
The cleaning apparatus includes a source of gas under pressure (12) and a source of fluid (14), along with associated gas (26) and fluid (34) chambers, adapted for successive single uses. A user-operated metered valve (22) connects the gas reservoir to the gas chamber, while a liquid pump (30) and a one-way valve (32) connects the liquid reservoir to the liquid chamber. When gas is released from the gas reservoir, it expands rapidly from the valve into the gas chamber, resulting in pressure therein sufficient to open a one-way valve (34) connecting the gas chamber to the liquid chamber. The gas in the liquid chamber forces liquid therein through a liquid line (15) to a connecting point with a gas stream line (13) from the gas chamber. The interaction of the fluid with the gas stream results in a spray of liquid droplets (17) which are directed out of the gas stream line exit orifice (16) to the teeth for cleaning.
An imaging system includes a radiation source (110) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region and a detector (116) that detects radiation traversing the examination region and a subject disposed therein, and produces a signal indicative of the energy of the detected radiation. A data selector (122) energy discriminates the signal based on an energy spectra setting corresponding to first and second spectral characteristics of a contrast agent administered to the subject, wherein the contrast agent has a first attenuation spectral characteristic when attached to the target and a second different spectral characteristic when not attached to the target. A reconstructor (134) reconstructs the signal based on the first and second spectral characteristics and generates volumetric image data indicative of the target.
The mouthpiece (10) includes receiving portions for receiving teeth from the upper and lower jaws. The teeth receiving portions includes two side portions (26, 28) which are joined by flexible members (32, 34) to a front portion (30). The two side portions move laterally relative to the front portion by the flexible members to accommodate a variety of dental arch configurations.
A flexible battery and method for fabricating a flexible battery includes forming (602) at least one battery stack layer on a stop layer (604) formed on a first substrate. The first substrate is capable of withstanding processing temperatures above 400 degrees C. The at least one battery stack layer is transferred (606) to a flexible substrate by a substrate transfer process. The first substrate is removed (610) down to the stop layer.
H01M 10/0585 - Construction or manufacture of accumulators having only flat construction elements, i.e. flat positive electrodes, flat negative electrodes and flat separators
G02F 1/00 - Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
H01L 21/00 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
H01M 4/52 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of nickel, cobalt or iron
H01M 4/485 - Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of mixed oxides or hydroxides for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiTi2O4 or LiTi2OxFy
The invention provides a synthetic jet eductor pump that includes a synthetic jet actuator coupled to a fluid conduit. The synthetic jet actuator may include a vibratable membrane, an actuating portion that vibrates the vibratable membrane, a pump chamber coupled to the vibratable membrane, and a pump conduit in fluid communication with the pump chamber such that vibration of the membrane draws fluid into and ejects fluid from the pump conduit to create a net momentum of fluid in a predetermined direction. The fluid conduit may include a jet receiving portion between intake and ejection portions thereof, wherein the jet receiving portion is in fluid communication with the pump conduit. The net momentum of fluid created by the synthetic jet actuator may be communicated to the fluid conduit at the jet receiving portion to create fluid flow in the fluid conduit from the intake portion to the ejection portion.
F04F 7/00 - Pumps displacing fluids by using inertia thereof, e.g. by generating vibrations therein
F04F 5/16 - Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which fluid flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow the inducing fluid being elastic fluid displacing elastic fluids
F04F 5/10 - Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which fluid flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow the inducing fluid being liquid displacing liquids, e.g. containing solids, or liquids and elastic fluids
43.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMPLE PAIRING OF WIRED AND WIRELESS HEALTHCARE DEVICES TO A GATEWAY
A system and method for effecting communication between a plurality of healthcare measurement devices and a remote patient monitoring server is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of effecting communication between the healthcare measurement devices and the remote patient monitoring server, includes communicating with an healthcare gateway device using a common gateway protocol to receive translated data via a plurality of translation units associated with a plurality of device communication modules residing in wired and wireless healthcare measurement devices, and communicating with the remote patient monitoring server using a plurality of remote protocols residing in a plurality of remote communication modules to transmit the received translated data. In some embodiments, the healthcare gateway device is communicatively coupled between the healthcare management devices and the remote patient monitoring server.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
44.
CURRENT LIMITING CONTROLLER FOR LED DRIVER WITH AUTOMATIC RESET
A current limiting controller (100) for a light emitting diode (LED) driver automatically resets the LED driver to normal operation after elimination of a fault. The current limiting controller (100) includes a fault detector to detect a fault across a load (20, 40) that is being driven by the driver circuit (10, 30); a current limiter (130, 230) to limit the current supplied from the driver circuit (10, 30) to the load (20, 40) in response to the detected fault; and a reset circuit (120, 220, 320) to disable the current limiter (130, 230) upon expiration of a first time interval after the fault is detected, and to allow the current limiter (130, 230) again to limit the current supplied from the driver circuit (10, 30) to the load (20, 40) when the detected fault remains after a second time interval.
H02H 3/06 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection - Details with automatic reconnection
H02H 9/02 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection responsive to excess current
H02M 1/32 - Means for protecting converters other than by automatic disconnection
H05B 33/08 - Circuit arrangements for operating electroluminescent light sources
45.
SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EMERGENCY PRESENCE DETECTION
A detection device and method includes a transducer array (20) located at a designated area and configured to perform an ultrasonic sweep of the area in response to a trigger event. The transducer array is capable of determining a presence of a live being (16) in the area in accordance with the ultrasonic sweep. A power supply (21) is coupled to the transducer array to provide power to the transducer array and to enable the ultrasonic sweep in a power failure. A transmitter (23) is configured to transmit a result of the ultrasonic sweep to provide a determination of the presence of a live being and the live being's location in the area to personnel responding to an event.
G01S 15/04 - Systems determining presence of a target
G08B 19/00 - Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
G01S 15/02 - Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems using reflection of acoustic waves
46.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND MEASURING ASPECTS OF TIME-VARYING COMBINED LIGHT
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing combined time-varying light comprising light from one or more light sources (132, 134, 136), and determining aspects of light from one or more light sources based on measurements of the combined light. Light sources of one or more colours can be controlled to provide time-varying combined light outputs (310, 360) using different switching sequences for different light sources, for example according to PWM, PCM, or other modulation methods. By appropriately configuring the timing of the switching sequences, the combined light output can be made to exhibit a plurality of lighting combinations. A broadband optical sensor (148) can be configured to measure (145) some or all of the plurality of lighting combinations, and the measurements used to determine light output measurements of portions of the combined light, and optionally of ambient light, by appropriate processing (150) of the measurements.
A method and apparatus for detecting low and high x-ray densities is provided for use in CT imaging. Two photodetectors, one having a relatively low dynamic range and the other having a relatively high dynamic range, are coupled to the same transducer. The first photodetector may be, for example, a SiPM which is passively quenched.
A system comprises a radiation source (110), including a anode (112) and a cathode (114), a high voltage generator (202) that generates a source voltage that is applied across the anode (112) and cathode (114), wherein the source voltage accelerates electrons from the cathode (114) towards the anode (112), and a modulation wave generator (204) that generates a modulation voltage wave having a non-zero amplitude, which is combined with and modulates the source voltage between at least two different voltages.
A gas discharge lamp driver and method including a driver (1) for a gas discharge lamp (2) having driver output terminals (3; 4); a lamp current generating section (10) operable to generate a low frequency voltage from a DC voltage, the low frequency voltage alone being insufficient to prevent the gas discharge lamp (2) from extinguishing in a takeover stage; a high frequency section (20) comprising a waveform generator (21) operable to generate high frequency voltage; and a coupling device (40) operable to add the high frequency voltage to the low frequency voltage. The high frequency section (20) is operable in an ignition stage to generate ignition pulses; and the high frequency section (20) is further operable in the takeover stage to generate the high frequency voltage sufficient to prevent the gas discharge lamp (2) from extinguishing in the takeover stage.
H05B 41/288 - Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices and specially adapted for lamps without preheating electrodes, e.g. for high-intensity discharge lamps, high-pressure mercury or sodium lamps or low-pressure sodium lamps
50.
ACOUSTICAL PATIENT MONITORING USING A SOUND CLASSIFIER AND A MICROPHONE
When monitoring a patient, acoustic events (e.g., coughs, snores, impact sounds, verbalizations, etc.) relevant to the patient's status are detected by a microphone array (12) and timestamped. Detected event signals generated by the microphone array (12) are filtered to identify signatures such as zero crossings, corner frequencies, amplitude, pitch, etc., for classification purposes. The filtered signals are digitized and classified into one of a plurality of acoustic event classes (e.g., snore, cough, wheeze, breath, etc.) and/or subclasses. The classified events are displayed to a user (e.g., graphically, textually, etc.) with their timestamps to indicate chronology. A user can review the acoustic events, select one or more events, and listen to a recording of the selected event (s). Additionally, specified acoustic events can trigger an alarm to alert a nurse or the like that the patient requires immediate attention.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
G08B 21/02 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
G08B 21/04 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
G08B 25/01 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
In an embodiment, an oxygen sensor comprises a giant magnetoresistance device (10), and a magnetic field generator (14, 14a, 14b) arranged to generate a magnetic field (12, 12a, 12b) overlapping the giant magnetoresistance device and an examination region (20). A component (Bx) of the magnetic field detected by the giant magnetoresistance device is dependent upon an oxygen concentration in the examination region. In an embodiment, a chip (40) includes one or more electrically conductive traces (14a, 14b) disposed on or in the chip and a giant magnetoresistance device (10) disposed on or in the chip such that electrical current flowing in the trace or traces generates a magnetic field (12a, 12b) that overlaps the magnetic field sensor, said magnetic field being perturbed (Bx) by ambient oxygen (24) such that a signal output by the magnetic field sensor indicates ambient oxygen concentration.
G01N 27/74 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables of fluids
Disclosed herein is a light source (300) including a plurality of light-emitting elements configured to provide a desired level of thermal management in a cost-effective manner. The light source may include two or more light-emitting clusters (302), each comprising one or more light- emitting elements (306, 308, 310), such that, each cluster has a respective temperature dependency, wherein the respective thermal management system with each of light-emitting cluster (302) has been configured in order to enable a desired thermal management efficiency for each light-emitting cluster.
A respiratory monitor comprises: a first sensor (20, 70) configured to generate a respiration-related motion monitoring signal (72) indicative of respiration related motion; a second sensor (20, 22, 80, 82) configured to generate a sound monitoring signal (84) indicative of respiration-related sound; and a signals synthesizer (90) configured to synthesize a respiratory monitor signal (46) based on the respiration-related motion monitoring signal and the respiration-related sound monitoring signal. A sensor for use in respiratory monitoring comprises an accelerometer (30) and a magnetometer (32) together defining a unitary sensor (20) configured for attachment to a respiring subject (10) so as to move as a unit responsive to respiration related motion of the respiring subject.
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for spectrum spreading by temporal dithering of pulsed signals. The apparatus and method are configured for processing an input bit sequence provided at the input into an output bit sequence provided at the output. The apparatus includes a receiver for receiving the input bit sequence, and a multiplexer for reordering bits of the input bit sequence according to a predetermined reordering method, thereby providing bits of the output bit sequence.
H03M 7/02 - Conversion to or from weighted codes, i.e. the weight given to a digit depending on the position of the digit within the block or code word
H03M 7/14 - Conversion to or from non-weighted codes
H03M 7/26 - Conversion to or from stochastic codes
H05B 33/08 - Circuit arrangements for operating electroluminescent light sources
H03M 1/82 - Digital/analogue converters with intermediate conversion to time interval
A passive detector (10) includes a receiver (11) configured to collect passive radiation (12) in an environment, where detailed information about a portion of the passive radiation is estimated as a baseline of the passive energy. The passive energy is generated by a passive source unrelated to the detector. A monitor (24) is configured to measure a fluctuation in the baseline. A decision module (34) is coupled to the monitor to determine whether the fluctuation represents a presence or motion in the environment. Detection methods are also disclosed.
G01S 13/00 - Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
The dental position tracking system includes a toothbrush (30) which has a system (20) for determining the orientation of the toothbrush in the mouth of a user relative to the earth, based on measured stored information. Information is stored in the toothbrush concerning target ranges of expected measured toothbrush orientations for each of a plurality of dental zones (22). A processor (24) compares the measured toothbrush orientation information with the target orientation ranges, following conversion of both the target orientation information and the measured toothbrush orientation information to the same coordinate system. The processor then determines which if any of the target ranges matches, within a selected tolerance thereof, with the toothbrush orientation information. Any difference between the target range and the measured toothbrush orientation information is then used to partially adjust the target information range, in order to compensate for a change of position of the user' s head.
A core body temperature measuring device comprises: a heat flux modulator (8) comprising first and second microtubing (16, 18) thermally isolated from each other and a fluid pump (26) operatively connected with the first and second heat exchangers and operable to drive a working fluid through the heat exchangers so as to selectively provide thermal communication between the first and second heat exchangers; a probe (30) having a contacting surface (32) configured to contact skin, the heat flux modulator arranged to modulate heat flux from the skin contacted by the contacting surface of the probe; temperature sensors (40, 42) arranged to measure (i) a temperature of the skin contacted by the contacting surface of the probe and (ii) a parameter correlated with heat flux from the skin contacted by the contacting surface of the probe; and a core body temperature processor (50) configured to determine a core body temperature reading based on measurements received from the temperature sensors.
PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND STANDARDS GMBH (Germany)
U.S. PHILIPS CORPORATION (USA)
Inventor
Garcia Morchon, Oscar
Erdmann, Bozena
Maas, Martijn
Abstract
A wireless system and method to control the cryptographic keying material that has been compromised in the network; exclude captured nodes from the network; and update compromised keying material in uncompromised devices are described. This system and method is useful in alpha-secure key distribution systems comprising a multitude of alpha-secure keying material shares to be controlled, revoked or updated.
A radiation sensitive detector array (112) includes a photo sensor (204) that detects a photon and generates a signal indicative thereof. The radiation sensitive detector array (112) also includes a signal analyzer (214) that energy bins and counts the signal when the signal analyzer (214) is able to identify the signal in the output of the photo sensor (204), and that integrates the output of the photo sensor (204) over an integration period when the signal analyzer (214) is not able to identify the signal in the output of the photo sensor (204).
Systems and methods are provided for calculating the tilt of an object from a minimum set of measurements. In the described embodiments, one or more accelerometers are used to sense tilt in fewer degrees of freedom than would otherwise be required in a conventional measurement apparatus. In one embodiment, a single axis accelerometer measures 2D tilt by taking into account a constant value of the earth's gravitational field in a direction generally perpendicular to the earth.
A radiation-sensitive detector includes a first substrate 202 with first and second opposing sides. The first side detects incident radiation, and the first substrate 202 produces a signal indicative of the detected radiation. At least one electrical contact 204 is located on the first substrate 202. An electrically conductive material 214 is coupled to the at least one electrical contact 204. The electrically conductive material 214 has a melting point in a range of about seventy-two (72) degrees Celsius to about ninety-five (95) degrees Celsius.
A direct write carrier, system and method include an optical assembly configured to direct a writing laser and a tracking laser. A carrier has a material layer and a tracking layer. The carrier is moveable relative to the optical assembly such that when the material layer is energized by the writing laser, direct writing is provided to a surface below the carrier. The tracking layer includes readable data which is employed to control one of the optical assembly and a position of the carrier.
An appliance and corresponding method for delivering antimicrobial agents to the vicinity of dental biofilm and for killing bacteria therein includes a system (18, 20, 24) for delivering polymeric capsules containing gas bubbles and an antimicrobial agent. A source of ultrasonic energy (18) is provided for moving the capsules toward the biofilm, the ultrasonic energy having sufficient intensity for thereafter bursting the capsules, in the vicinity of the biofilm, releasing the gas bubbles and the agent. The gas bubbles vibrate within the ultrasound field, disrupting the biofilm, so that the released agent can act effectively against the bacteria in the disrupted biofilm.
A multi-switch (24) for an oral care appliance includes a switch housing (28) having a hollow chamber (30) therein, a button actuator (32) with at least two O-rings (42) around the periphery thereof, and inlet and outlet channels (50, 52) connecting a source of compressed gas (18) with the housing chamber and the housing chamber with a mixing chamber (26), respectively. A pump (60) moves fluid from a reservoir (20) to the mixing chamber. The O-rings are positioned so that as the button actuator is actuated and then released, the outlet is closed and the inlet is opened, allowing gas to move into the housing chamber. The pump is actuated, and then the inlet is closed and the outlet opens, allowing gas in the chamber to move to the mixing chamber to produce a stream of fluid droplets, which are directed out through a nozzle portion (16) of the appliance.
The interproximal cleaning appliance includes a housing (12) and a spray applicator (16) extending therefrom for directing a spray of fluid droplets to the interproximal area. Within the housing is a spray-generating assembly (14) which includes a chamber, a movable piston (26) mounted therein, one-way inlets (42, 40) for gas and fluid and an outlet (44). A system (54) for moving the piston, such as a motor, operatively compresses a spring (32) which creates a partial vacuum in the chamber, allowing gas to flow into the chamber through the gas inlet. Release of the spring produces a stream of fluid droplets which flows out of the chamber through the applicator to the interproximal area.
The protective system includes a nozzle portion (20) of the appliance which has a flange (24) at a proximal end thereof which releasably fits into a body portion (12) of the appliance. A cap member (30, 40) which is secured or securable to the appliance has an opening (32, 50) which is configured relative to the flange such that the nozzle can extend therethrough, but not the flange, so that when the cap member is operatively secured to the appliance, the nozzle is prevented from separating and propelling away from the appliance under the force of compressed gas.
Optical faceplates and methods for manufacturing same are disclosed. An optical faceplate (10) includes a substrate (12) having a major surface, and an array (15) of optical fibers embossed on the substrate. The optical fibers have a length determined in accordance with a layer of material deposited on the substrate from which the optical fibers are formed, a depth of the features in a mold or stamp and a number of processing/stamping steps. A method includes forming (202) a layer on a substrate having a major surface, and processing (204) the layer to form an array of optical fibers transversely disposed to the major surface.
G02B 6/08 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings formed by bundles of fibres the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images with fibre bundle in form of plate
A solar system (20) uses optics (22, 26) to transmit concentrated sun light (34) to at least one solar cell (32) of reduced size. By directing concentrated sun light (34) to a solar cell (32), the size of the solar cell (32) can be reduced to provide a solar system (20) which is initially less expensive to produce.
In the method is described of testing a test prepared circuit that contains an asynchronous timing circuit (14). The asynchronous timing circuit (14) comprises a time- continuous feedback loop (22, 26) with a combinatorial logic circuit (22) with inputs for a feedback signal and a further signal provided by a further logic circuit. The test prepared circuit comprises a test scan shift register structure (12). A test cycle of the method comprises a first phase (phase l)wherein the time-continuous feedback loop (22, 26) is broken, and test data from a register (31) in the shift register structure (12) substitutes a feedback signal. A further test signal is provided to the further logic circuit (103, 143; 145, 143), which is allowed to change the value of the further signal (a) provided by said further logic circuit. a second phase (phase 2) wherein the output of the further logic circuit is stabilized by preventing said test signal from changing the further signal provided by said further logic circuit while still breaking the time continuous feed-back loop. - a third phase (phase 3) of said test cycle, wherein a test result determined by the feedback loop is captured for transport through the shift register structure while the feedback loop is restored. (12), while still stabilizing the output of the further logic circuit.
The asynchronous pipeline stage (20) comprises a data input (22) arranged for being coupled to a data providing environment (41) and a data output (24), arranged for being coupled to a data receiving environment (43). A controllable data retaining element (26) is coupled to the data input and the data output. The asynchronous pipeline stage further has a first handshake port (31) for exchanging handshake signals (ackN+1, reqiN) with the data providing environment and a second handshake port (32) for exchanging handshake signals (ackiv, reqN+1) with the data receiving environment. The pipeline stage (20) has a reset input (33) for receiving a reset signal (reset). The pipeline stage (20) assumes an initial state after receiving an asserted reset signal, and activates a handshake signal (reqN+1) at its second handshake port (32) after the reset signal has been de-asserted.
G06F 5/08 - Methods or arrangements for data conversion without changing the order or content of the data handled for changing the speed of data flow, i.e. speed regularising having a sequence of storage locations, the intermediate ones not being accessible for either enqueue or dequeue operations, e.g. using a shift register
An alert device and method include an elongated cavity (306) and a loudspeaker (302) coupled to a first end portion of the cavity wherein sound produced by the loudspeaker is directed through the cavity to provide an audible sound. The cavity and the loudspeaker are configured and dimensioned to provide the audible sound substantially at an anti-resonant frequency (Fb) between first and second resonant frequency peaks for system impedance in a response spectrum for the loudspeaker and the cavity.
H04R 1/28 - Transducer mountings or enclosures designed for specific frequency response; Transducer enclosures modified by provision of mechanical or acoustic impedances, e.g. resonator, damping means
G08B 3/00 - Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems
72.
A LIGHT-ACTIVATED DENTIFRICE AND ASSOCIATED LIGHT IRRADIATING TOOTHBRUSH
A combination of a treatment device (10) having a light source in a head end portion emitting light in the visible range for use inside the mouth with a dentifrice (21) which comprises a mixture of a liquid medium and a powder comprising particles (13) having a titanium nitride (TiN) core (15) with a titanium oxide (TiO2) outer shell (17). The mixture when applied to the teeth and irradiated by the light source in the mouth results in the activation of the TiO2, resulting in up to 90% and more of the oral bacteria in contact with the dentifrice and exposed to the light being killed within a given time period.
A MEMS scanning micromirror including a mirror body 50, the mirror body 50 having a rotation axis 58 with a pair of extension bars 56 parallel to the rotation axis 58; a frame 60 forming a mirror recess 62 with a recess periphery 64, the frame 60 having a pair of opposed frame bars 66 on the recess periphery 64 along the rotation axis 58; a pair of cantilever beam assemblies 70, each of the pair of cantilever beam assemblies 70 being fixed to one of the pair of opposed frame bars 66 and coupled to one end of the pair of extension bars 56; and a pair of vertical support beams 40 connected between each of the pair of opposed frame bars 66 to the mirror body 50 along the rotation axis 58.
G02B 26/08 - Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
74.
LEADER ROBOT ELECTION IN COLLABORATIVE ROBOT GROUPS
A system and method for electing a leader in a robot group includes assigning (14) tasks to a group of robots to collect information. A leader is elected (16) by designating (30) each robot as a leader and comparing (32) a criteria related to the collected information between robots of the group to determine a non-leader robot at each comparison until a sole leader is determined by being a remaining robot designated as a leader.
A system for providing improved feedback on administration of CPR is disclosed. A compression sensor (14) is incorporated into a pad (12) adapted to be positioned between a rescuer's hands and a victim's chest. The compression sensor provides an output to a feedback control module (16) that records the output and segments the output into individual compression cycles that are analyzed with respect to evaluation criteria, such as those related to guidelines for effective CPR. The results of the analysis are formatted into a matrix having elements that represent the results of the analysis for an individual compression cycle with respect to an evaluation criterion. An example of the matrix elements is a graph plotting a property of compressions within one of the individual compression cycles over time. Portions of the graphs failing to satisfy one of the evaluation criteria may be highlighted.
Methods are provided for production of pre-collapsed capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs). Methods disclosed generally include the steps of obtaining a nearly completed traditional cMUT structure prior to etching and sealing the membrane, defining holes through the membrane of the cMUT structure for each electrode ring fixed relative to the top face of the membrane, applying a bias voltage across the membrane and substrate of the cMUT structure so as to collapse the areas of the membrane proximate to the holes to or toward the substrate, fixing and sealing the collapsed areas of the membrane to the substrate by applying an encasing layer, and discontinuing or reducing the bias voltage. CMUT assemblies are provided, including packaged assemblies, integrated assemblies with an integrated circuit/chip (e.g., a beam-steering chip) and a cMUT/lens assembly. Advantageous cMUT-based applications utilizing the disclosed pre-collapsed cMUTs are also provided, e.g., ultrasound transducer-based applications, catheter-based applications, needle-based applications and flowmeter applications.
The physical token (30) is attachable to and removable from a power toothbrush (10). It communicates with a control portion (22) of the toothbrush to enable a selected operation of the toothbrush, either by enabling an existing control program within the toothbrush or by transferring a control program to the toothbrush.
The present disclosure provides for systems and methods enabling the insertion of leads (as used e.g., in a framework of the brain treatment therapies) through a target anatomy for conforming with a target tissue region. An exemplary lead includes at least a partially curved portion for conforming with a geometry defined by the target tissue region. In an exemplary embodiment, the system relates to stimulating targets in the brain for improved post-operative steering of an applied electric field. The leads can be either pre- curved or put under transversal mechanical strain during insertion such that a certain curved curvature of the insertion trajectory is achieved. The system includes at least a first insertion tool removably engaged with respect to the lead for guiding and providing mechanical support to the lead during insertion.
In a communication network (100) comprising a plurality of wireless devices (120), a method determines whether to change one or more communication channels over which the wireless devices (120) communicate. The method includes receiving a plurality of configuration parameters for the communication network (100); receiving information related to one or more communication channel's availability for communications by one or more of the wireless devices (120); and determining whether to change one or more communication channels over which the wireless devices (120) communicate by executing a communication channel change determination algorithm using the configuration parameters and the received information related to one or more communication channel's availability for communications by one or more of the wireless devices (120).
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for emitting light that can provide a desired light-induced physiological stimulus and a desired luminous stimulus. The light can be controlled to vary the physiological stimulus within a predetermined first range while maintaining the luminous stimulus within a predetermined second range that is useful for a number of self and/or space illumination applications. For example, an apparatus may include a controller for controlling the drive currents supplied to a plurality of light-emitting elements having different spectral characteristics, wherein the combination of currents is controlled such that the mixed light emitted is associated with the desired physiological and luminous stimuli.
The self-contained intraoral appliance includes first and second substantially rigid bands (12, 14) configured to fit along the outer and the inner surfaces of a row of teeth in the mouth. A motor (20) driven by a battery is connected to the bands through a connecting assembly (2, 24, 28, 34, 40 and 44) in such a manner that one end of the first band moves through a displacement to brush the teeth while the other end remains substantially stationary, and such that an opposing end of the second band moves through a displacement while the other end remains substantially stationary. Brush elements (16, 18) are mounted on the surfaces of the bands to provide cleansing of the teeth.
The disclosure is directed to a capacitive sensor for measuring a small biomedical electrical charge originating from an object under test comprising input circuit elements having an electrode for sensing the charge to provide an output signal that is a function of the charge being measured, wherein the electrode has no electrical contact with the object; amplification circuit elements (A) connected to the input circuit elements; processing circuit elements configured for receiving and processing the amplified output signal and to provide the measurement; and conditioning and monitoring circuit elements coupled to at least the input circuit elements comprising monitoring circuit elements and conditioning circuit elements; (Rl) wherein the monitoring circuit elements are configured for monitoring the amplified output signal to detect an error in a measurement that is greater than a preset value caused by charge buildup on the electrode; and wherein the conditioning circuit elements are configured to be activated for. discharging the electrode when the error in the measurement is detected by the monitoring circuit elements and the conditioning circuit elements are configured to be deactivated, when the error in the measurement is no longer detected.
G01R 27/26 - Measuring inductance or capacitance; Measuring quality factor, e.g. by using the resonance method; Measuring loss factor; Measuring dielectric constants
83.
A METHOD FOR CLEANING DENTAL PLAQUE FROM TEETH USING AN ADHERENT PEELABLE GEL
The method for cleaning dental plaque biofilm from the teeth includes the steps of applying a liquid gellable composition to the teeth, the composition including a positively charged polymer such as chitosan, the liquid composition having a viscosity which results in coverage of substantially all of the exposed areas of the teeth. The liquid composition is then gelled by the addition of a second composition, such as a negatively charged compound. The resulting gelled composition has an adherence to the plaque biofilm which is greater than the adherence between the biofilm and the teeth. The gel layer with the biofilm is peeled off of the teeth, removing the dental plaque.
A radiation- sensitive detector (120) includes a scintillator array (124) coupled with a photosensor array (140) via an adhesive laminate (144). The photosensor (140) has a plurality of dixels (136). The adhesive laminate (144) includes a material free region that extends through the adhesive laminate (144) from the scintillator array (124) to the photosensor array (140) and that is located between a pair of adjacent dixels (136).
A communication system (100) includes first (110) and second (120) devices which are matched to each other. Each matched device includes an input device for capturing content; a memory for storing the content; a renderer configured to render the content; and a processor configured to control the first and/or second device for rendering the content and communicating between the first device and the second device. The content of the first device is automatically available to be rendered on the second device.
H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
86.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING THE NORMALIZED PUSH-PULL RATIO IN A PRE-FORMATTED PORTION OF A RE-WRITABLE DISC TO FACILITATE THE SMOOTH PERFORMANCE OF A TRACKING SERVO
A method that allows for the smooth and stable performance of a tracking servo in areas of a re- writable disc which contains an arbitrary mixture of blank and written tracks wherein the tracking servo loop gain is set from the tracking error signal with the loop being open. The servo gain for the different track regions is then estimated from both the servo loop gain and that nominal value of the normalized push pull ratio.
G11B 7/09 - Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track f
G11B 7/007 - Arrangement of the information on the record carrier, e.g. form of tracks
87.
MOTION COMPENSATION IN QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS AND THERAPY
An apparatus includes a diagnostic scanner (102) and a treatment planner (112). The treatment planner (112) plans a treatment to be applied to an object. A treatment device (114) treats the object according to the treatment plan. A treatment scanner (108) scans the object during a treatment session. A motion modeler (116) uses information from the treatment scan to model a motion of the object. A motion compensated quantitative data generator (1004) uses data from the diagnostic (102) or other scanner, as well as feature geometry (1008) and feature motion (1006) information, to generate motion compensated quantitative data indicative of a feature of the object.
PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND STANDARDS GMBH (Germany)
U.S. PHILIPS CORPORATION (USA)
Inventor
Vik, Torbjoern
Senegas, Julien
Abstract
The present application is directed to the idea of using sampling techniques to propagate segmentation uncertainty in order to evaluate variability in radiation planning. A radiotherapy planning apparatus (10) creates diagnostic image data of a region of interest of a subject. Image data from other sources can also be used. The image data is segmented (44) and combined with previously imaged model data. Target measures such as dose volume histograms are produced for each of the segmentations of the image data. These measures are later combined into a statistical quantification of the target measure (FIG. 3). This information is presented (52) to the user to give the user possible outcomes of the radiotherapy plan, and, e.g., confidence levels in those outcomes.
A wavefront constructor (10) comprises a double balanced mixer (12) having an input (22) and an output (24), the input for receiving a wavefront matrix of complex number pixel values, wherein the double balanced mixer is configured for converting the wavefront matrix of complex number pixel values into a matrix of real number pixel values while suppressing from the matrix of real number pixel values (i) a self- interference of the input and (ii) a conversion carrier frequency fc, and outputting the matrix of real number pixel values on the output (24), wherein the output matrix of real number pixel values is suitable for use by a spatial light modulator (SLM) (14) for providing a corresponding reproduced wavefront (30).
A mutual capacitance measurement is acquired for two thermally and electrically conductive bodies separated by an intervening dielectric material. At least one of (i) a thermal conductance and (ii) a heat transfer rate between the two thermally and electrically conductive bodies is determined based at least on the mutual capacitance measurement. For example, a thermal conductance between the two thermally and electrically conductive bodies may be determined as the mutual capacitance measurement scaled by a ratio of the thermal conductivity of the intervening dielectric material and the dielectric constant of the intervening dielectric material.
G01K 7/34 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using capacitative elements
G01K 13/00 - Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
G01N 25/18 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of thermal means by investigating thermal conductivity
G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
91.
METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MEASURING CORE BODY TEMPERATURE
A core body temperature measurement device includes temperature sensor (12, 12f, 12b), a head-mountable mechanical frame or pad (42, 62, 64, 72, 82, 102, 112) configured to operatively couple the temperature sensor with skin overlaying an arterial blood rich superficial region (STA, PAA) disposed near to an auricle and outside of an ear canal or other skin (CAR) overlaying the carotid artery or a major arterial branch thereof, and a readout controller (10, 48, 68, 90) configured to acquire a temperature measurement using the temperature sensor and to output a core body temperature based on the acquired temperature measurement.
A core body temperature measurement device includes a plurality of electronic temperature sensors (12, 12f, 12b, 132) operatively coupled with or near a surface (STA, PAA, BTT) having a surface temperature approximating the core body temperature, and a readout controller (10, 48, 68, 90, 124) including a maximum temperature reading selector (14). The readout controller is configured to acquire temperature readings using the plurality of temperature sensors and to output a core body temperature based on a highest usable temperature reading of the acquired temperature readings as determined by the maximum temperature reading selector. A core body temperature measurement method includes: acquiring a plurality of temperature readings at and near a surface (STA, PAA, BTT) having a surface temperature approximating the core body temperature; generating a highest usable temperature reading from the acquired temperature readings; and outputting a core body temperature based on the highest usable temperature.
PHILIPS INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY AND STANDARDS GMBH (Germany)
U.S. PHILIPS CORPORATION (USA)
Inventor
Young, Stewart, M.
Kuhn, Michael
Wenzel, Fabian
Carlsen, Ingwer, C.
Meetz, Kirsten
Buchert, Ralph
Abstract
A scanner (10) is used to provide images for automated diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. The images are registered (90) to a template (78). The aligned image is analyzed (60) in relation to reference image data (76, 80) which has been registered to the template which is contained in a knowledge maintenance engine (70) for similar patterns of hypo-intensity that would indicate (in the case of an FDG tracer) reduced glucose uptake in the brain. The most appropriate reference images for the analysis of the present study are chosen by a filter (74). The present study is then given a dementia score (84) as a diagnostic feature vector that indicates to a clinician the type and severity of the ailment based on the analysis. The scanner (10) can produce PET or other metabolic and MR images for diagnosis. The MR can be used to measure blood flow rate into the brain. From the blood flow rate and the metabolic image, tracer, e.g. FDG, uptake maps can be generated for use in the automated diagnoses.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A61B 6/00 - Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
94.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING VERBAL AND GRAPHICAL INSTRUCTION FROM A REMOTE HEALTHCARE MONITORING SERVICE HELPDESK
When installing a remote healthcare network system (10) in a user s residence, a user input device, such as a remote control (26) for a home-end device (HED) (12) includes a helpdesk button (56) that the user (16) may depress to request a helpdesk session with a service provider helpdesk employee (20). The session is carried out using a network connection upon which a VoIP connection is built between the parties to permit verbal communication. Additionally, graphical information is exchanged using a broadband connection or the like. The HED (12) stores screenshots that represent actions the user (16) has performed during setup, and provides the screenshots to the helpdesk employee (20) during the session to assist the employee (20) in diagnosing the user s problem. The employee (20) additionally sends graphical instructions or screen shots that are presented to the user (16) to instruct the user regarding a next action to resolve the issue. Additionally, when a reboot of the HED (12) is necessary to resolve the issue, the helpdesk session is automatically resumed upon reboot.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
95.
IMPROVED LIGHT DETECTION IN A PIXELATED PET DETECTOR
PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND STANDARDS GMBH (Germany)
U.S. PHILIPS CORPORATION (USA)
Inventor
Thon, Andreas
Solf, Torsten
Abstract
In nuclear imaging, solid state photo multipliers (48) are replacing traditional photomultiplier tubes. One current problem with solid state photomultipliers, is that they are difficult to manufacture in the size in which a typical scintillator is manufactured. Resultantly, the photomultipliers have a smaller light receiving face (50) than a light emitting face (46) of the scintillators (44). The present application contemplates inserting a reflective material (52) between the solid state photomultipliers (48). Instead of being wasted, light that initially misses the photomultiplier (48) is reflected back by the reflective material (52) and eventually back to the radiation receiving face (50) of the photomultiplier (48).
A method for visualizing a region of interest within a viewport includes presenting tomographic image data as an image in a viewport using a set of global image processing operations, presenting a viewing window in the main viewport; and using a second, different set of image processing operations that is local to the viewing window, wherein the second, different set of image processing operations reduces image artifact with respect to a desired structure of interest in the viewing window.
A high percentage of preventable medical errors occur due to poor communication during the period when patient care is handed from one caregiver to another. Electronic annotations from patient specific body sensor networks are created and classified according to the caregiver and the urgency of the annotation to ensure that no information goes unnoticed during the transfer of care. Sensors (10) of each body sensor network store the annotations, and share the annotations with all the other sensors (10) in the network. The sensors (10) communicate wirelessly with a monitor (12), nurses station (14) a portable device (16) or other device (19) associated with a medical facility network to display the annotations for the caregiver on an associated display (12a, 14a, 16a, 19a). The caregiver can view, create, edit, and delete annotations with input devices (12b, 14b, 16b, 19b) as appropriate. The system can be applied in a hospital or care facility in which patients are monitored with a body sensor network based monitoring system. This includes ICUs, ERs ORs, preparation rooms, cathlabs, and diagnostic imaging rooms, as well as others.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
An apparatus includes an x-ray source (112) that generates transmission radiation that traverses an examination region (108) and a detector (116) that includes a photo-converter (204) that detects the radiation and generates a signal indicative thereof. The photo-converter (204) includes a light receiving region (260) on a back side (264). 5 The light receiving region receives light indicative of the detected radiation. The photo- converter (204) further includes read-out electronics (240) within a front side (228), which is located opposite the back side (264). The read-out electronics (240) process a photo- current indicative of the received light to generate the signal indicative of the detected radiation. The photo-converter (204) further includes a photodiode (208, 212, 232) 10 disposed between the light receiving region (260) and the read-out electronics (240). The photodiode (212) produces the photo-current. A reconstructor (128) reconstructs the signal to generate image data indicative of the examination region (108).
G01T 1/20 - Measuring radiation intensity with scintillation detectors
G01T 1/29 - Measurement performed on radiation beams, e.g. position or section of the beam; Measurement of spatial distribution of radiation
99.
GATHERING AND REPORTING DATA CONCERNING COMMUNICATION CHANNEL CONDITIONS FOR WIRELESS DEVICE IN A WIRELESS NETWORK UNDER SHARING RESOURCES WITH DIFFERENT
A device (200) for wireless communication with at least one node in a wireless network (100) is adapted to obtain statistical data regarding one or more selected communication channels over which the device is adapted to communicate (330), and to report from the device (200) to at least one other device at least one metric related to an availability of each of the one or more selected communications channels for communications (350).
When configuring a network system (10) in a user's residence, a patient to receive home healthcare assistance or other user receives an encoded configuration message. One type of configuration message includes a sequence of code words, each of which corresponds to one or more numerical digits, which the user receives via voice or text message on a mobile phone (28), as an email message, etc., and the user enters the codewords into a set top box (STB) (12). The user enters the codewords by selecting the codewords and/or images representing the codewords displayed on a GUI (18). The STB (12) uses a translation table (40, 42) to decode the codewords to determine the numerical sequences. The complete sequence represents a configuration information sequence, such as a user ID, an IP address, or the like, and is employed by the STB (12) to configure itself and/or other components in the network system (10). If the configuration message is received on a Bluetooth-capable cellular device, the configuration sequence is sent wirelessly to the STB (12).
patents
